Preveli Monastery

The Monastery of Preveli is one of the most famous monasteries in Crete and houses collections of metal seals, gold-plated chalices, semi-precious stones, and liturgical vessels, which are displayed in a small museum here. The Benediction Cross, a big silver cross carried in all battles to encourage fighters, remains the main attraction.

The monastery consists mainly of two buildings, the ruined Lower Monastery of St. John the Baptist and the Upper/ Rear Monastery of St. John the Theologian. Only the latter is in operation today and houses important relics and icons dating from approximately the 17th-19th centuries. An arcade-like bridge leads the path to the lower monastery. It was ruined by German forces after the Battle of Crete in 1941 but continues to provide aesthetical views of old ruined exquisite stone walls amidst cypress trees. The view from the Upper Monastery is unparalleled, with the rocky cliffs of Mesokorfi mount as the backdrop and the expanse of the stunning Libyan Sea visible from the structure.